This collection contains the diaries, 1912-1922, of Edgar Carl Hermann of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The first diary concerns Hermann's daily life as a worker for a railroad. There are two diaries from 1919, both of which describe Hermann's service during World War I. They include his service in France and Germany and his two week trip to Paris during his leave time. There are also diaries from 1920, 1921, and 1922.

Most of the entries describe Hermann’s daily life in St. Paul, Minnesota. Church and recreational activities are the events most typically described. Often these include references to landmarks in and around Minneapolis and St. Paul. Some of the place names include the Hippodrome, Hollow Rink, Bridge Square Hotel, Merchant’s Hotel, Grand Central Hotel, the De Luxe Theater, the New Aster Theater, Oakland Cemetery, and Forest Cemetery. He also visits many of the parks and natural features of the area especially Indian Mounds Park, Phalen Park, Como Park, and Lexington Park.

Church activities dominate Hermann’s diary entries. Regular entries are made for prayer meetings, choir rehearsals and performances, preparing for holiday programs, and many different kinds of committee meetings. His main recurring responsibility is leading Sunday school and he makes frequent note of the study and preparation that goes into this including attending professional development conferences.